PREVIEW: Melbourne City FC battle FC Bendigo

Melbourne City FC will face FC Bendigo on Tuesday night as the Club continues its pre-season roadshow.

John van’t Schip’s side will look to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Adelaide United against NPL1’s newest outfit.

Melbourne City FC have been playing a positive brand of football throughout the pre-season and van’t Schip has been pleased with his side’s progress with the Round 1 clash against Sydney FC looming.

The side will come into the game with a clean bill of health from a gruelling trip to Central Australia with Damien Duff playing a full 90 minutes in the ‘Red Centre’ and a commanding performance from Patrick Kisnorbo at the back. Melbourne City FC have had a nine day break since their last pre-season match and will again test the depth of the squad at Epsom Huntly Reserve.

Finishing was an issue van’t Schip addressed post-match in Alice Spring and the Dutchman will look at the range of attacking options he will have at his disposal against the regional Victorian side.

FC Bendigo will head into Tuesday's clash coming off a 2-0 loss against Moreland Zebras on Saturday afternoon. The newly formed club struggled in the early stages of the season but have steadied with a string of positive results. Bendigo's second half of the season however has seen them go eight games without a win.

FC Bendigo are led by player-coach Steve Martin and boasts a number of players who could trouble Melbourne City FC.

Centre midfielder and import Matthew Breeze has been FC Bendigo’s star this season, leading their goal scoring. The Englishman is a dead ball specialist and will look for goals anwhere around the penalty area. Former player Sebastian Mattei and former youth player, Alon Blumgart also play for Bendigo in what will be an eventful clash in the centre of Victoria.

Match Details

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 2 September 2014

FC Bendigo vs. Melbourne City FC

Epsom Huntly Reserve

UPDATE: The Kick-off time for the FC Bendigo pre-season clash has moved from 6PM to 6:30PM